Men's Basketball

Brown Wins RI State Championship With 91-76 Win Over Rhode Island

Dec 28, 2001

Dec. 28, 2001

Freshman guard Jason Forte scored a career high 22 points and junior Alai Nuualiitia added 20 points to lead Brown to a 91-76 victory over Rhode Island at the Pizzitola Sports Center. The victory completes a Brown sweep of the Division I teams in Rhode Island and gives Brown the unofficial Rhode Island State Championship, the first time Brown has beaten Providence and URI in the same season since 1953-1954.

Forte dazzled the sellout crowd by scoring outside and inside, hitting 9 of 11 shots from the field, including two of two three point baskets. He also handed out a game high 7 assists.

Brown held a 43-40 lead at the half, but Rhode Island battled back to grab a 50-47 lead on a three point basket by Dustin Hellenga with 16:27 remaining in the game. The Bears grabbed the lead for good, 57-54 on a three point jumper by junior Earl Hunt with 13:18 remaining.

Nuualiitia also had an outstanding shooting day, hitting 8 of 10 shots from the field. Hunt, the Ivy League's top scorer, added 18 points. Sophomore Mike Martin registered a double-double for the Bears, scoring 13 points and grabbing a game high 10 rebounds.